Minister for Communications and Member of Parliament for Abura Asebu Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, says former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is no longer in support of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential ambitions and has instead thrown his weight behind Dr Bryan Acheampong.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana with Moro Awudu, Mr Kwakye Ofosu said although Dr Bawumia remains a strong contender among the five New Patriotic Party hopefuls, the next presidential primaries in 2026 will present him with a tougher challenge.
“It is obvious that having been the immediate past candidate of the NPP, Dr Bawumia goes into that primary with an edge. Except that perhaps he may face a bit more challenge this time than when the entire establishment was behind him,” he said.
He added, “Indeed, there are credible reports that former President Akufo-Addo himself has now distanced himself from Dr Bawumia and he is now backing Dr Bryan Acheampong. This is an open secret. Everybody knows it, because you see that key operatives within the Akufo-Addo government and the NPP machinery are supporting Bryan Acheampong. It is also obvious that Kennedy Agyapong no longer has to deal with the system.”
Mr Kwakye Ofosu noted that while Dr Bawumia still enjoys some sympathy within the party after his previous defeat, his path to victory may not be as smooth as before.
“Despite the challenges, I think that Dr Bawumia, having contested once and having been marketed before, enjoys a certain natural sympathy within the NPP. I would not be surprised if he won, but whether or not he will win by a wider margin this time remains to be seen,” he said.
He also dismissed the significance of the 63 Members of Parliament who have declared support for Dr Bawumia, saying, “That is inconsequential. The average MP would want to play it safe because there are consequences for their own elections internally.”
